Public comment sought on ferry service

Public comment is being accepted on plans for improvements that will ready the Cape Lookout National Seashore visitor center on Harkers Island for passenger ferry service on site beginning in spring 2014.

HARKERS ISLAND — Public comment is being accepted on plans for improvements that will ready the Cape Lookout National Seashore visitor center on Harkers Island for passenger ferry service on site beginning in spring 2014.

The National Park Service has been working on plans for better providing passenger ferry service to the lighthouse area on South Core Banks and Shackleford Banks, the islands that make up the seashore and are only accessible by boat.

An initial review of the park’s commercial services plan called for consolidating services and providing two “gateway” locations for the ferry services: the Harkers Islend visitor center and a site on the Beaufort waterfront.

The park service is now proposing a number of improvements and amenities at the Harkers Isle site to get it ready to better serve as a departure site for ferry service by a concessioner.

According to the plan, improvements and amenities needed are ferry docks; an area for ferry information and ticketing; passenger shelters; restroom facilities; parking; and vehicle and bus loading and unloading.

Proposed plans also call for improvements to better connect vehicles and pedestrians to nearby support services, the picnic area at Shell Point and neighboring Core Sound Waterfowl and Heritage Center.

Without the improvements, ferry service would have to proceed in 2014 with use of existing facilities at the visitor center.

While tickets could be purchased inside, without changes the main counter would be used. It now serves as the main information desk and takes gift shop sales. But there are no outside shelters, and those waiting for ferries would be exposed to the elements.

The plan also notes that the only restroom facilities are those at the visitor center, and they would be closed at times when the ferry service may still be operating.